Suvarna Garge (Editor)

Unicorns (cricket team)

Updated on
Edit
Like
Comment
Share on FacebookTweet on TwitterShare on LinkedInShare on Reddit
One-day name:
  
Unicorns

Coach
  
Philip Oliver

Captain:
  
Chris Whittock 2016

Founded
  
2010

Unicorns (cricket team) httpsuploadwikimediaorgwikipediaenthumb3

Home grounds
  
Arundel Castle Cricket Ground

Unicorns is a cricket team in England that was formed in 2010 specifically to play in the Clydesdale Bank 40 limited overs competition. They played in that competition until 2013 and since 2014 the Unicorns team has competed in the Second XI one-day and Twenty20 competitions. The 2014 season also included a 50-over match against Sri Lanka A. Members of the squad are all players without current full-time contracts with one of the regular first-class counties.

Contents

In only their sixth competitive game, Unicorns entered the record books for scoring the highest total in the second innings of a 40-over game, beating Sussex by successfully chasing 325.

Formation

Provisionally called the ECB Recreation XI, the squad was selected by coach Philip Oliver, Mark Alleyne and Min Patel from a pool of 200 players recommended to the England and Wales Cricket Board in December 2009; the pool was reduced to 40 and 21 following training sessions over the winter. 15 members of the squad are former county cricket professionals. Team Manager Gordon Child said, "The Unicorns squad is a balance of youth and experience...For the younger players aspiring to play first-class cricket this is an opportunity to learn from their more experienced team mates and really test themselves and understand the attributes needed to succeed at this level." The squad is captained by experienced professional Keith Parsons, the former Somerset all-rounder, who was playing Minor Counties cricket for Cornwall.

2010 Clydesdale Bank 40

Unicorns played in Group A of the 2010 Clydesdale Bank 40, along with Glamorgan, Lancashire, Somerset, Surrey, Sussex and Worcestershire; The competition was created for the 18 first-class counties, plus Scotland, Ireland and a Recreational XI based on players from the Minor Counties. Ireland declined to compete, thus leaving the competition one team short for the proposed three groups of seven format; The Netherlands took their place. Unicorns were created to play representing the Minor Counties, thus giving a new opportunity for younger players to gain experience and to learn from experienced professionals. Unicorns have no fixed stadium, but will play their home games at six different outgrounds (stadiums with occasional use by first-class counties).

Their first competitive game was due to be against Surrey on 2 May 2010, but was abandoned without any play, due to rain. Both teams received one point. After a promising start in reply to Sussex's 255/8 at Hove, Unicorns collapsed from 207/4 to 211 all out, to lose their first full competitive game by 44 runs. Former England international bowler James Kirtley led the collapse, with four wickets in eight balls. Unicorns then lost by seven wickets to Somerset at Taunton.

In their fourth group game, on 16 May, Unicorns recorded their first win. Batting first against Glamorgan at Dean Park, Bournemouth, Unicorns scored 231/8, including a stand of 126 between Parsons and Knappett. Glamorgan were then restricted to 173. Unicorns then went on to hit the record books when they stunned Sussex, in complete contrast to their batting collapse against them earlier in the competition. Wes Durston smashed 117 from 68 balls as they chased down a target of 325 to set the highest score (327/4) for a team batting second in the history of 40-over cricket. The third-wicket partnership between Durston and Josh Knappett, both making their highest List A scores, made 165 in just 18 overs.

On resumption of the competition following the two-month break for Twenty20 matches, Unicorns suffered a nine-wicket defeat to Lancashire, before chasing another large total (277 runs), this time set by Worcestershire to win with two balls to spare; Michael O'Shea hit 90 from 62 balls.

Squad

The squad, originally made up of twenty-one uncontracted cricketers, are not paid; they only receive expenses. Two former county players, Carl Greenidge (son of West Indies player Gordon) and Dave Burton, were originally in the squad, but withdrew after insisting they received payment. The ECB would not agree, arguing that this is an opportunity for players to showcase their ability to the first-class counties. The squad has endured some criticism, not least for the Unicorns moniker; sports journalist Peter May said that what was intended to be a Minor Counties Select XI, featuring some of the best amateurs in the country, has included a disproportionate number of players from London with MCC or ECB connections. "This was an opportunity to reward the best cricketers for amateur dedication...and at the same time provide the sternest possible challenge to the county sides. It is an opportunity missed."

Current squad

Players with previous first-class/List A appearances are listed in bold (Correct as of 10 September 2013)

References

Unicorns (cricket team) Wikipedia